He was born April 24, 1945, in Waxahachie, Texas, to Lula Mae and Roland "Stoney" Johnson. He was a longtime resident of Howard County. He was baptized Nov. 22, 1981, at College Baptist Church and loved cooking. He was a cook and restaurant owner in Big Spring for many years. He worked at the Wagon Wheel Drive-in, Downtown Tea Room, the 66 Truck stop and the Pancake Patio. He was also a partner in Western Sizzler Steak House. He later owned Fat's Buffett downtown and on Eleventh Place.

He is survived by one daughter: Connie Cynthia Mitchell of Big Spring; five sons: James Earl Johnson, Jr., of Big Spring, Jackie Johnson and Joe Johnson both of Odessa, Texas, Johnny Johnson and Jimmy Johnson both of Big Spring; his mother, Lula Mae Green Johnson of Pflugerville, Texas; two brothers Robert Earl Johnson of Pflugerville and John Paul Garza of Big Spring; five sisters: Edna Mae Brown of Fort Worth, Texas, Ruby Miles of Odessa, Vernie Lou Gossett of Killeen, Texas, Lee Altus Garland of Odessa, Larette Harris of Pflugerville; 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his father Roland "Stoney" Johnson in 1987; two brothers Tommy "T.J. Jewelz" Johnson in 2011 and Marvin C. Johnson in 2012; his mother-in-law Inez Garza in 2011 and one sister Virginia Anne Johnson.